How many of you are dreaming about to have a hole in one? Or about an all in one golf escape or golf holiday?
I can see many indications that even golf tourists want to have an active holiday and go to a golf destination that has all of their favorite activities and sights close together.
This description fits perfectly with Portugal. The country performed really well at the latest World Golf Awards and World Travel Awards:
- Madeira Islands: World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination in 2019
- Portugal: Europe’s Best Golf Destination in 2019 + Europe’s Leading Destination in Europe
- Quinta do Lago – South Course: Portugal’s Best Golf Course in 2019
- Algarve: Europe’s Leading Beach Destination in 2019.
The 2020 Virtuoso Luxe Report ranked Portugal as the 5th top emerging destination for high-end tourists.
In the following, I will show you how you can have a memorable, active golf escape in Portugal.
I will focus on Portugal’s epic:
- trails and hiking destinations,
- cycling routes,
- surfing spots,
- SUP spots.
Golf escape & trails and hiking destinations
Near to Vidago Palace and Clube Golfe Braga, we can find Portugal’s only national park the Parque Nacional de Penada-Geres.
It shares the border with Spain. There’s ample opportunity for biking, canyoning, kayaking, horse riding, and more.
If you plan to have your golf escape in the Algarve then the 300km Via Algarviana is the perfect route for golfers who enjoy hiking as well.
The Via Algarviana route starts from Alcoutim on the Spanish border to Cabo de São Vicente. In Madeira, you will find grand routes around Pico Ruivo.
If you plan to play at Praia del Rey, West Cliffs, Royal Obidos or Bom Sucesso then I strongly recommend the Várzea da Rainha. It is one of the most popular and links Óbidos to the Praia do Bom Sucesso beach.
Golf escape & cycling
I really love the route on the Atlantic coastline that starts at Cascais and goes to Guincho Beach. You will pass by the Guia and Cabo Raso lighthouses, look onward to the Sintra mountains and find plenty of ocean viewpoints on the way.
This route is close to Penha Longa Resort, The Oitavos, Onyria Golf Resorts, and Estoril Golf Club.
I can strongly recommend also the Rota da Costa Atlântica route. This Route goes across the whole Algarve and connects Vila Real de Santo António (East) to Cabo de S. Vicente (West), extending over 214 km.
It gives you straight access to several beaches.
The Vila Real de Santo is very close to Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Quinta do Vale Golf Resort, and Castro Marim Golf & Country Club.
Golf escape & surfing
In the summer you can expect waves of 3-5ft. In the winter the swell size is around the 6ft mark but can get to 15ft or more.
If you are a beginner surfer then you will enjoy Matosinhos the most surfed beach in Porto. Visit it between October and June for better waves.
If you are staying either in Penha Longa Resort or Beloura Pestana Golf Resort or Lisbon Sports Club then don’t miss Coxos (38 minutes by car) at Ericeira.
The best time to go to Coxos is in the autumn & winter. Not so far away from there in Cascais, you will find great surfing opportunities like the Praia de Carcavelos.
Golf escape & SUP
Some people call Portugal as the stand-up paddleboarding capital of Europe. Do you agree with them?
One of the great opportunities for SUP is the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park in South Lisbon. You will see there even bottlenose dolphins.
Another great place for SUP is Arrabida Natural Park near Setubal. It is 35 minutes by car from the Lisbon Airpot.
So if you are going to stay in one of these golf resorts then don’t miss the SUP opportunities:
In the Algarve, near Faro, don’t miss Ria Formosa for a great SUP experience. It is a great opportunity if you stay in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, San Lorenzo Golf Club.
Have a great golf escape in Portugal!
This article is brought to your by Tee Times Golf Agency.
Photos from:
- Portugal Green Walks
- BTTClub
- Surfline.com
- Enjoyalgarve.com